Sediment control is important to protect aquatic life when undertaking maintenance near bodies of water. Sediment can damage fish gills, impair feeding, cover habitats, and clog machinery. Modern techniques to control sedimentation include using mulch, silt fencing, temporary blocking of outlets, check dams, cofferdams, pumped diversions and bypass flumes to isolate work areas from water flow. Devices also allow continuous and controlled transfer of sediment within reservoirs using automatic suction dredging vessels.